Teams from 10 high schools in Memphis and Shelby County will build amazing structures
from cans of food as part of the “Canstruction” competition on Friday, Feb. 12, at
the University of Memphis. Participating schools are Christian Brothers, Collierville,
East, Germantown, Harding Academy, St. Agnes Academy, St. George’s Independent School,
St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Whitehaven, and White Station.

The competitors will assemble their structures between 9 a.m. and noon in the lobby
of the Herff College of Engineering (second floor of the Engineering Administration
Building), at the corner of Central Avenue and Zach Curlin Street. Judging will be
held from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony. The structures will remain
on display through Feb. 17.

Structure built by Collierville High School students last year.

Coordinated by the Society for Design Administration, “Canstruction” is held in cities
throughout North America. Teams of architects, engineers and students, mentored by
professionals, design and build giant structures entirely from full cans of food.
After the event, the cans are donated to local food banks for distribution through
their programs. Details about the national program are available online at www.canstruction.com

This is the fourth year for the Memphis event. To date, the competition has contributed more than 40,000 pounds of food to the Memphis
Food Bank, which represents 32,370 meals.

The U of M’s “Canstruction” event is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers
West Tennessee Branch Younger Members Group.